Mississippi Road Trip: Tunica

Any visit to Tunica, Mississippi, will likely become a Highway 61 road trip. Known as the ...

Any visit to Tunica, Mississippi, will likely become a Highway 61 road trip. Known as the “blues highway,” this strip of asphalt winding through the Mississippi Delta has inspired numerous musicians and may stoke your creative fires too. Here’s how we would spend a day in Tunica:

Blue & White Restaurant

Start your day right with the Blue & White for breakfast and coffee. Originally a Pure Oil filling station, the Blue & White Restaurant has been serving up down-home cooking since 1924. A local favorite, breakfast is served all day and is located right off Highway 61.

Gateway to the Blues Museum

Drive North on Highway 61 to see where the Blues began. The Gateway to the Blues Visitors Center and Museum is a must-see attraction for all music lovers and tells the remarkable story of how the Blues was born and the role Tunica played in building the genre’s legacy.

Hollywood Café

Grab lunch and sample deep fried pickles from the establishment claiming to have invented them – the Hollywood Café. Featured on an episode of “Deep Fried Paradise,” the local eatery’s fried pickles are not to be missed. This restaurant was also immortalized in Marc Cohn’s hit song “Walking in Memphis” for the café’s soulful, live music.

Tunica RiverPark & Museum

Head west to explore the rich history of the Mississippi Delta and America’s most storied river. Since reopening in 2012, the Mississippi River Museum inside RiverPark offers multiple interactive attractions and seasonal exhibits featuring Delta culture. Walk the RiverPark’s nature trails and snap photos of the beautiful Mississippi River from prime vantage points at the park.

Casinos

Cap off your day by trying your luck at one or more of Tunica Resort’s many casinos near the Mississippi River. With plenty of gaming, dining and nightlife options, you’re sure to find an enticing experience. At 31 stories tall, the Gold Strike Casino sets the standard for gaming in Tunica with more than 1,400 slot machines, plus live music, an 800-seat theater and an on-site spa. Whenever you decide to call it a night, relax in one of the Gold Strike Tunica’s 1,100 luxury hotel rooms.

Christmas Tree Cheer

The arrival of cool crisp air signals the beginnings of the holiday season in Mississippi. When ...

The arrival of cool crisp air signals the beginnings of the holiday season in Mississippi. When December approaches, one of life’s pleasures is seeing twinkling holiday décor and walking into a home filled with the scent of freshly cut pine.

If you are looking to buy a tree this year, try visiting one of the state’s local Christmas tree farms. Walking through a maze of trees while sipping hot chocolate is sure to put even the grumpiest Grinch in the holiday spirit.

Here are some locally owned farms from across the state open for families to choose and cut the ideal Christmas tree and create a lifetime of memories.

CAPITAL/RIVER

Located off I-55 between Fernwood and Magnolia, Christmas Memories Tree Farm is a place where families have created memories and traditions for more than 25 years. Begin your Christmas excursion by entering on Santa Drive, where staffers greet visitors as they enter the farm. Visitors will find the perfect tree walking amongst the fields of naturally grown Leyland Cypress trees located on gently rolling hills surrounded by natural wooded areas.

Excursions to Timberhill Christmas Tree Farm provide families with a festive holiday experience. Christmas music plays in the background as visitors peruse the fields of beautiful Christmas trees located on this farm located in Chatawa, Miss.

COAST

This tree farm located in Saucier, Miss., has supplied Christmas memories for Coastal families for years. Leave the plastic tree in the box and get your perfect, eco-friendly tree at this Harrison County farm.

Thomley's Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shop has been a part of the Oak Grove community for nearly five decades. Three types of trees are grown at this Hattiesburg farm – Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine and Carolina Sapphire. Thomley’s also flocks trees, giving them a true winter wonderland look.

DELTA

In the Trees – Shaw

Set in the agriculture-heavy Delta region of the state, this farm grows a more festive crop than others in the area. Chop down a Leyland Cypress or Virginia Pine tree with a saw provided by the farm and then purchase a wreath or garland.

HILLS

The search to find the ideal Christmas tree on Cedar Hill Farm begins by taking a hayride out to the back forty. Varieties on this farm include Leyland Cypress, Murray X, Fraser Fir and Blue Ice trees.

Pine Mountain Tree Farm is located in Alcorn County just 10 miles west of Corinth, Miss., where the foothills of the Appalachians meet the flat lands of the Delta. With hundreds of fresh trees ready to cut, your family will have a picturesque time searching this farm for the perfect Christmas tree. Pine Mountain also has horses and chickens for kids to feed and pet.

PINES

Located a few miles north of the small town of Chunky, Miss., Lazy Acres is home to a tree plantation and pumpkin patch. The second-generation farm has been creating precious holiday memories for families since 1980.

Thirty miles south of Tupelo lies Worthey Tree Farm, a cut-and-choose Christmas tree farm. Visitors can ride in one of the farm’s sleighs or trains out to the fields of available Christmas trees. The farm also offers children the chance to pet and feed miniature horses, while adults browse additional Christmas decorations in the gift shop.

Thanksgiving Table Traditions

When Mississippians gather ‘round the table, you can expect an incredible meal. When the ...

When Mississippians gather ‘round the table, you can expect an incredible meal. When the table happens to be set for Thanksgiving, expect an unforgettable feast. Here’s a few of our favorite Turkey Day dishes filled with Mississippi flare:

1. Cornbread dressing

Unless you are prepared for a heated debate or lengthy lecture, don’t dare mistake the cornbread dressing as its Northern counterpart, stuffing. Made with baked, stale and crumbled cornbread, dressing is served alongside the Thanksgiving turkey and is decidedly different from stuffing, which is made from diced, stale bread and stuffed into the turkey. No Southern Thanksgiving meal is complete without cornbread dressing.

2. Fried Turkey

Mississippi cooks save prized oven space and enjoy a deliciously moist turkey by frying their poultry whole. In what is often a communal event the morning of the holiday, family and friends gather outdoors to dunk turkeys into a vat of bubbling oil. Turkeys for multiple gatherings can be fried one after the other using the same oil, making for an economical excuse to spend Thanksgiving morning with loved ones.

3. Pecan pie

With trees found in backyards across the South, pecans are easy to come by and pair well with sweet corn syrup, butter, vanilla and eggs. Served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, this classic dessert is part of nearly every Mississippi Thanksgiving spread.

Home to the “Sweet Potato Capital of the World” in Vardaman, Mississippi, sweet potato pie is a much loved part of Mississippi feasts. Resembling pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie balances the sweet and savory flavors of the root vegetable. Check out this recipe from Mississippi farmer’s daughter April McGreger.

Hunting is a favorite pastime for many Mississippi families, and what better day to enjoy the spoils of the hunt than Thanksgiving. Tender deer meat or deer sausage is typically grilled as a side dish or as an appetizer like this recipe for deer medallions wrapped in bacon.

Family, fellowship and food may come first on Thanksgiving Day, but a close second is football. The Egg Bowl, an annual showdown between Mississippi State University and Ole Miss, always takes place over the Thanksgiving holiday. Numerous MSU Bulldog fans gear up for the game by serving Mississippi State cheese, made at the University in Starkville, as an appetizer on Turkey Day.

7. Toasted pecans

“Leave no pecan behind,” is the mantra of quite a few Mississippi chefs. Pecans leftover from pecan pie preparation are toasted with butter and spices and served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for the feast.

8 Haunted Places in Mississippi

Mississippians are born storytellers, and ghost stories are no exception. Scary legends, eerie ...

Mississippians are born storytellers, and ghost stories are no exception. Scary legends, eerie occurrences and mysterious reports of the supernatural haunt our state. We’ve gathered a few of Mississippi’s scariest places to gear up for the spookiest time of the year, but these are just a few. You can find local accounts of the paranormal in nearly every corner of Mississippi.

Featured on an episode of Ghost Adventures, King’s Tavern in Natchez is well known as the city’s oldest standing building. According to local legend, workers were performing a renovation on the tavern’s fireplace in the 1930s when they discovered a space behind the wall holding the remains of three bodies. One of the bodies was said to have been the mistress of the tavern’s original owner. Guests report seeing images in the tavern’s mirrors and hearing a crying baby in the restaurant. The tavern and inn are still operating today.

A photo posted by jai nicole (@jaibirdd) on May 30, 2016 at 1:56pm PDT

Known as “Mississippi’s Most Haunted House,” the grounds of McRaven Tour Home served as a Confederate campsite and field hospital. At least five people have died in McRaven. The remains of eleven, likely confederate soldiers, are buried on the property. Mary Elizabeth Howard, who died during childbirth in the upstairs middle bedroom in 1836, is said to be the most active spirit in the house. Her apparition has reportedly appeared to numerous witnesses. Other former occupants who have made posthumous appearances are John Bobb, murdered by Union soldiers near McRaven in 1864 and William Murray, who died in the home in 1911.

Mont Helena, a colonial revival home in Rolling Fork, has a long-running reputation as haunted. Built as the retirement home for Helen and George Harris in 1896, the home sits atop a ceremonial Indian mound in the Delta region. During its early years, Mont Helena was one of the premier homes of the Delta. Locals recount sightings of a lady dressed in a white gown looking out of windows or standing in the front yard. The property has been investigated by the Mississippi Paranormal Society, with recorded electronic voice phenomena captured, shadowed figures observed and orbs seen in photos.

Home of esteemed writer William Faulkner, Rowan Oak is one of Mississippi’s top literary attractions. The Greek revival style home was built in the mid-1800s and has been preserved as Faulkner left it. Legend has it Judith Sheegog, the only daughter of the home’s original owner who fell to her death from a bedroom balcony, haunts the property. However, many locals believe Faulkner himself crafted the tale of Judith Sheegog. Faulkner’s own spirit is said to roam the halls as well and has been seen writing on the wall in his office.

5. Waynesboro Shubuta Road a.k.a. Devil Worshiper Road, Waynesboro

Many local stories surround the history of this road in Waynesboro. Paranormal experiences have been said to occur along its entire length. Some believe the haunting is a result of occult sacrifices, which allegedly took place in the area. Other tales involve the legend of Goat Man, a farmer who sold his soul to the devil and was transformed into a demonic creature. Reports of car engines suddenly dying, the appearance of shadowy figures, cars violently shaking and mysterious handprints appearing on windows have been made near the road.

6. Stuckey’s Bridge, Enterprise

A photo posted by Amber (@openheartsugary) on Jun 7, 2015 at 5:04pm PDT

As legend has it, a left-behind member of the infamous Dalton gang, a man by the name of Stuckey, frequently robbed and murdered travelers in the southwestern corner of Lauderdale County. In 1850, Stuckey was finally caught and hanged from the bridge. Visitors to the area have reported seeing the ghost of Stuckey roaming the riverbank with a lantern in hand. Others have reported seeing his apparition hanging from the bridge.

Vicksburg National Military Park may still play host to the soldiers of the past. Visitors have reported hearing sounds of battle, cannon fire, horses, orders issued and screams of the wounded over the empty fields. Ghosts of troops have been spotted along the tree line or walking the grounds. There are even reports of the smell of smoke and gunpowder.

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Established in 1849, Friendship Cemetery is the final resting place of local citizens and soldiers who fell at the Civil War Battle of Shiloh in 1862. A Confederate soldier is said to still walk through the military section of the cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery are also attracted to the weeping angel standing over the grave of the Reverend Thomas Teasdale. Grasp the angel’s hand; some have remarked it feels lifelike.

5 Great Golf Courses in the Capital/River Region

Mississippi is a golfer’s paradise. Home to more than 140 pristine and challenging courses, ...

Mississippi is a golfer’s paradise. Home to more than 140 pristine and challenging courses, the “Hospitality State” welcomes weekend duffers, seasoned professionals and everyone in between. Away from the links, more good times await. From dawn until deep into the night, you can experience memorable dining, shopping and attractions across our state. Rest at one of our many boutique hotels, relax at our world-class spas, or just soak in some of our soul-stirring blues in Mississippi’s temperate climate.

The Refuge – Flowood

A championship course measuring 6,635 yards from the tips, The Refuge has been named “The Best Purely Public Golf Course in Mississippi” by Chicago Golfer and the “No. 4 Course in Mississippi” by Golflink.com. Raised from a hardwood swamp, the course features towering pines, ancient oaks, pristine wetlands and a 15-acre lake.

Country Club of Jackson – Jackson

The Country Club of Jackson plays host to some of the top players on the PGA TOUR each fall at the Sanderson Farms Championship. The 2016 tournament will take place Oct. 24-30. Part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 1968, the Sanderson Farms Championship presents a chance for non-members to watch the pros in action while catching a glimpse of the stunning private course re-designed by John Fought in 2008.

Patrick Farms – Pearl

A semi-private club, Patrick Farms’ 200-acre course is kept in immaculate condition with spacious 419 Bermuda fairways and Tifdwarf greens. Designed by Randy Watkins and opened in 1999, the course measures 6,900 yards from the back tees and offers an enjoyable game to golfers of all levels.

Beau Pré – Natchez

Semi-private Beau Pre' Country Club presents a challenging 18-hole layout. Designed by Mike Young, the course is situated on the banks of Second Creek and features a 90-foot sheer clay bluff, vast canyons, numerous creeks, rolling terrain and abundant wildlife. Golfers will find TifEagle greens, 8-foot wide concrete cart paths, nine wooden bridges and a multi-target driving range with short game and putting area.

Quail Hollow – McComb

Located an hour’s drive south of Jackson in McComb, Quail Hollow Golf Course is 6,700 yards of challenging fairways in a natural forest setting. Renowned architect Arthur Hills carved Quail Hollow from the woods of Percy Quin State Park, skillfully blending the natural terrain with world-class design to create a spectacular golf course with sweeping elevation changes. Golf Digest’s Places to Play has consistently rated Quail Hollow as a prestigious four-star course.

Tamales to Try in Mississippi

As any dedicated foodie will attest, whenever two great culinary cultures meet, the results are ...

As any dedicated foodie will attest, whenever two great culinary cultures meet, the results are nothing short of irresistible. Such is the case with the Mississippi Delta hot tamale. For more than 100 years, the tamale has been a staple of the Delta region thanks to an influx of migrant workers from Mexico who used available ingredients to create a taste of home. Locals adopted the dish, and tamale stands began to pop up throughout Mississippi.

Each fall, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival draws enthusiasts to sample and celebrate the humble tamale, but you can enjoy this cross-cultural treat anytime by following Mississippi’s Hot Tamale Trail, visiting tamale stands and even dining in casual and upscale restaurants.

Take-Out Tamales to Try

Solly’s Hot Tamales has been a Vicksburg tradition since 1939. Henry Solly, a native of Cuba, began selling hot tamales from a pushcart. His tamales became so popular, he retired the cart and opened a storefront. Today, Solly’s friends continue his tradition by making tamales according to his recipe.

Joe’s Hot Tamale Place a.k.a. The White Front Café is located in a wood-frame white house on Route 1 and is a legendary hot tamale stop. These spicy, beef-filled tamales come wrapped in corn husks and during the winter months, the owners will sometimes make up to 400 dozen to sell.

Famous for the pig ear sandwich, the Big Apple Inn also serves up a mean tamale. One of the best kept secrets in Jackson is the Big Apple Inn’s satellite location off of North State Street in North Jackson. Park in front of the restaurant, order a few dozen mouth-watering tamales to-go and serve dinner to a crowd in no time.

Delta Fast Food - Cleveland

Gentle Lee Rainey learned the art of tamale making from his grandfather who sold tamales on weekends to earn extra income. Today, Rainey owns and operates Delta Fast Food in Cleveland, where he has served hot tamales and other take-out foods since 1995. He still makes hot tamales using his grandfather’s recipe, but with a little added spice.

Open since 1943, Serio’s is a family owned restaurant known for authentic Italian fare. In true Delta style, the establishment also serves up tamales by the dozen as well as an appetizer option, all handmade on premises at Serio’s.

Doe’s Eat Place has been serving up the same all-beef tamale recipe since 1941, and the restaurant still has an old-time charm. Doe Signa, Jr., grew up working in the restaurant his father founded, and he has since taken over for him. Try the tamales topped with homemade chili for a meal to write home about.

Tailgating Mississippi Style, Part 2

Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss may be known for their pregame soirees, but when ...

Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss may be known for their pregame soirees, but when it’s time for gridiron action, Mississippi’s other universities score big, too. Their teams are fierce, and their tailgating manner is warm and inviting.

Visitors to any Mississippi university will want to experience Mississippi’s distinctive tailgating styles. Here are a few tips to help you tackle a football weekend in Lorman, Cleveland or Jackson.

1. Tailgating Style

Bring your appetite. To display agricultural roots, Alcorn State University tailgates offer a huge and varied spread of Southern delicacies. Perennial tailgate favorites such as barbeque, burgers and hotdogs are common. You’ll also see spaghetti, fried fish and “junk pots,” large boiling pots of sausage, seafood, corn, chicken and other items spiced to perfection. The beautiful rural campus offers ample green space for children and adults to play.

2. What to Wear?

Purple and gold. The ubiquitous team colors extend to nearly everything for a tailgate including plates, napkins and cutlery. The accessory of choice: a purple and gold pompom. You practically can’t cheer for the Braves without one.

3. The Team Tradition

In keeping with the Braves mascot, the Tomahawk chop gesture is Alcorn’s victory cheer. Of course, you’ll hear a louder cheers in the Spinks-Casem Stadium too. Home to the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite marching band, songs like “Brave Spirit” and “Funky Stuff” pump up the crowd. Also, don’t miss the team bursting into the stadium through the giant Alcorn inflatable.

4. The Off Campus Place to Be

If possible, save a little room for the buffet at the Old Country Store in Lorman, open each day until 4 p.m. Famous for “Mr. D’s” fried chicken, this restaurant has been featured on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” series on the Food Network.

1. The Mascots

Delta State University’s official mascot is the Statesman and its unofficial mascot is the Fighting Okra, created in the 1980s by students with a sense of humor who thought the Statesman was not particularly frightening. To marry the two mascots, the slogan “Respect the Statesman. Fear the Okra” was born. You’ll see the slogan in a variety of places on game days.

2. What to Wear?

Casual attire and T-shirts depicting one or both of DSU’s mascots are perfectly acceptable on game days.

3. Tailgating Style

The Levee, an area on the West end of Horace L. McCool Stadium is the new spot to tailgate at DSU. The athletics department rents picnic tables to tailgating groups, who bring their own spread of food complete with lots of Southern fare, including the divine Mississippi Sin Dip. At the end of every game, win or lose, the football team gives high fives to everyone along the fence of the stadium.

4. The Off-Campus Place to Be

For a snack/meal/libation pre- or post-game, check out Hey Joe’s for burgers and craft beer or Airport Grocery for authentic Mississippi Delta hot tamales as well as barbeque. Both restaurants have a music-centric vibe.

1. The Tradition

Five words: Sonic Boom of the South. Jackson State University’s nationally recognized marching band, paired with the Prancing J-Settes, make for a do-not-miss halftime show. Pro tip: Take your breaks during a lull in the game. There is no lull in the halftime performance.

2. What to Wear?

Blue and white rule a Jackson State game. You can’t go wrong wearing an official JSU t-shirt, preferably one proudly displaying the Tiger mascot.

3. Tailgating Style

Starting Friday night before home games, you can already smell the salivation-inducing scent of barbequed meat on huge smokers outside of Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. On Saturday, pork, chicken, sausage, steaks, ribs and even freshly fried fish are the fare of the day. To score decent parking, always arrive early to JSU games.

4. The Off-Campus Place to Be

One of Jackson’s most eclectic areas, the Fondren district offers fans shopping, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, art galleries and more all within walking distance from the stadium.

Tailgating Mississippi Style, Part 1

Mississippi fans approach college football games with a passion bordering on religious fervor. ...

Mississippi fans approach college football games with a passion bordering on religious fervor. Saturdays in the South are often planned around football schedules from September to November’s end. Teams may win or lose games, but Mississippi always triumphs at tailgating.

Visitors will want to be prepared to experience Mississippi’s distinctive tailgating styles. Here are a few tips to help you tackle a football weekend in Starkville, Oxford or Hattiesburg.

1. The Tradition

Who needs a chant? MSU fans celebrate the Bulldog’s advances with none other than the cowbell. The origins of this tradition are arguable, but one thing is certain: the cowbell is here to stay. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cowbell) to the game. The Lodge sells cowbells in varying sizes and styles. Please remember to #ringresponsibly and abide by the rules. Pro tip: You may want to bring earplugs to the game.

2. What to Wear?

Even if it’s a white out or black out weekend, State fans always sport a little of their school’s signature color. This fan base also proudly dons jeans and cowboy boots to their games.

3. The Souvenir

Don’t miss the MSU Cheese store, or officially the “MAFES Sales Store.” The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Dairy Manufacturing plant creates several products, including the big red balls of MSU’s famous and delectable Edam cheese, the ultimate souvenir from Starkville.

4. The Off-Campus Place to Be

Popular among university students, the Cotton District comes alive for pre- and post-game fun. Check out Bulldog Burger Co., Little Dooey’s barbeque or City Bagel Café for budget-friendly, locally owned fare. If libations are in order, Bin 612 is a favorite Cotton District spot.

5. The Team Tradition

Two hours before the start of the game, make your way to the Junction, a pedestrian park chock full of tailgating tents and Bulldog fans, for the Dawg Walk. Football players, coaches and mascot “Bully” proudly walk through the Junction to Davis Wade Stadium.

1. The Tradition

Vaught-Hemingway stadium may house the main event on game day, but the action begins and ends at The Grove. Likened to a block party with tents, this is tailgating with uncompromising flair and style. You’ll marvel at the chandeliers, antique silver platters and flat screen TVs glowing under otherwise unassuming tailgate tents. Pro tip: Drinking directly from a bottle or can is a faux pas in The Grove. Bring a cup of your own or a red or blue Solo cup.

2. The Chant

If you’ve never heard the Hotty Toddy chant before the game, you’ll know it by heart after an hour in The Grove. It’s the only appropriate response to “Are you ready?!”

3. What to Wear?

This is not your T-shirt-and-jeans crowd. Ole Miss fans have been known to dress to the nines, as in designer dresses, high heels, sport coats and ties. To play it safe, dress for a night out on the town.

4. The Team Tradition

Ole Miss football players and coaches begin their traditional journey to Vaught Hemingway stadium by way of a brick sidewalk bisecting The Grove. Known as the “Walk of Champions,” the fan favorite begins about two hours before kickoff, and fans crowd both sides of the walkway to cheer on the Rebels.

5. The Off-Campus Place to Be

The courthouse square is Oxford’s epicenter. Game days transform the busy town square into Oxford’s upscale version of Bourbon Street. Square fixtures like City Grocery, Ajax Diner and Bouré offer fans a superb repast. Visit the Burgundy Room above City Grocery Restaurant to enjoy a drink and spot famous Mississippians who frequent the watering hole.

1. Tailgating Style

The tailgating scene throughout the Southern Miss campus is amped up with excitement on game day, but The District is where the action is. Largely populated by USM students plus a DJ or band, the vibe of the district is a lively one. For a tamer tailgating experience, fans may want to opt for a more relaxed setting near the Rose Garden or the Dome.

2. The Chant

Do the letters SMTTT mean anything to you? “Southern Miss To The Top” is the battle cry of the Golden Eagles. Be prepared to see “SMTTT” scrawled on everything from koozies to onesies on game day. Remember, when someone yells, “Southern Miss,” the only acceptable response is, “To The Top!”

3. What to Wear?

Black and gold are the colors of choice at a Southern Miss game. As for level of dress, think somewhere between Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Dressy casual wins the day.

4. The Team Tradition

In the spirited tradition of Southern Miss, the Eagle Walk is a game day parade. The Pride of Mississippi band marches Southern Miss players, athletic staff and university officials through campus to M.M. Roberts Stadium, a.k.a., The Rock.

5. Food and Drink

If you don’t want to travel far, check out Marlin’s Bar & Grill or Glory Bound Gyro, both directly across from the stadium. Hardy Street also offers plenty of options. For the craft beer aficionado, the Keg & Barrel features a selection of 120-plus beers. Other noteworthy establishments are Crescent City Grill, Purple Parrot Café and Mahogany Bar, all within the same building on Hardy Street.

Literary Lover's Guide to Jackson

Creative culture is never in short supply in Mississippi. As the birthplace of renowned native ...

Creative culture is never in short supply in Mississippi. As the birthplace of renowned native fiction authors, including John Grisham, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Willie Morris and Richard Wright and playwrights Tennessee Williams and Beth Henley, Mississippi is America’s literary soul.

There’s no better way to kick off the oncoming fall festival season than the Mississippi Book Festival, a celebration of the state’s storied literary legacy. Held on Aug. 20 in Jackson, this “literary lawn party” takes place on the beautiful Mississippi State Capitol grounds. Book enthusiasts mingle between panel sessions featuring Mississippi’s most distinguished literary minds, while booksellers, food trucks and other vendors line the surrounding streets. For anyone with a love for the written word, this is a must-attend event.

While in town for the festival, spend an extra day or two exploring Jackson’s literary havens. Check out the itinerary below for inspiration.

1. Lemuria Bookstore

Start your day Jackson’s Banner Hall, where you can enjoy breakfast and coffee at Broad Street Bakery and shop for books at an independent bookstore, Lemuria. With books from floor to ceiling, first editions, rare books and plenty of cozy reading nooks, Lemuria is a literary enthusiasts’ paradise.

“As with many Southern Writers, I believe that the special quality of the land itself indelibly shapes the people who dwell upon it.” – Willie Morris

2. Margaret Walker Center at JSU

Drive west to the Jackson State University campus to unearth records and relics of Mississippi’s past. The Margaret Walker Center is a cultural preservation research resource center, housing significant records of the late Margaret Walker Alexander. The oral history department includes the official collection of the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement. The campus also offers museum and exhibit spaces highlighting the Center’s collections and the history of Jackson State University.

“When I was about eight, I decided that the most wonderful thing, next to a human being, was a book.” – Margaret Walker

3. Eudora Welty House

Spend the afternoon touring the Eudora Welty House located in the historic Belhaven neighborhood. A Jackson native and Pulitzer-prize winning novelist, Eudora Welty returned to her home in Jackson to create novels and short stories. Books cover virtually every surface in Welty’s home, where she lived until her death in 2001. The garden at the house is beautifully reconstructed to the 1925-1945 period.

“A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within.” - Eudora Welty

4. Library Lounge

If happy hour is calling you, you don’t need to go far. Nestled in the same neighborhood as the Eudora Welty House, the Library Lounge is housed in Jackson’s only AAA four-diamond small luxury hotel, the Fairview Inn. Imparting a distinct literary feel, the Library Lounge serves up craft cocktails named after Mississippi’s famous authors. Sip a “William Faulkner” while perusing the many books lining the walls.

“Perhaps they were right putting love into books. Perhaps it could not live anywhere else.” – William Faulkner

5. Hal & Mal’s

One of the most storied restaurants and watering holes in Jackson is also the site of several literary points of interest. Eudora Welty’s 90th birthday party was held at Hal & Mal’s. Book signings of John Grisham, Barry Hannah, Larry Brown, Willie Morris and Willie Dixon have been held there as well. With a crowd-pleasing menu of hearty southern staples, you are sure to find a satisfying meal and plenty of nightcap options. Be sure to check out memorabilia lining the walls and learn about the history of one of Jackson’s most colorful, cultural institutions. Nearly all featured writers at the Mississippi Book Festival frequent Hal & Mals. In fact, the Mississippi Book Festival’s Willie Morris After Party will be held there. If you plan to attend the festival, you can enjoy Hal & Mal’s twice!

“Writing's still the most difficult job I've ever had - but it's worth it.” – John Grisham